Partition stud

ABSTRACT

A metal stud comprising a web and flanges extending perpendicularly from respective edges of the web and each having a stiffening return, the web comprising a longitudinal rib at each edge thereof, each rib having a width of 0.250″ from a respective edge of the web and a depth of 0.060″ from a baseline of the web.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.62/256,326, filed on Nov. 17, 2015. All documents above are incorporatedherein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to partition studs. More specifically, thepresent invention is concerned with metallic partition studs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Studs are vertical framing members used in building walls. In the caseof inner walls, referred to as partition walls, the studs typically holdin place doors and interior finish. As shown in FIG. 1, studs run from abottom track (B) to a top track (not shown in FIG. 1). Wall materialsand/or wall boards or panels (P) are then secured to the flanges 12 ofthe studs, using screws (S) for example, to form a closed partition wallstructure.

In North America, studs were traditionally made of wood, usually 2″×4″or 2″×6″ dimensional lumbers and typically placed 16 inches (406 mm)from each other's center, but sometimes also at 12 inches (305 mm) or 24inches (610 mm). The wood needs to be dry when used or problems mayoccur as the studs shrink and twist as they dry out.

Metallic studs, such as steel studs, are gaining popularity, especiallyfor non-load-bearing walls, and are required in some firewalls. A metalstud is formed from a sheet of metal, preferably between about 0.015 andabout 0.040 inches in thickness, which is folded into a C-shape crosssection to provide a central web 16 disposed perpendicular to thegeneral plane of the partition (P), and a pair of L-shaped flanges 12extending perpendicularly from the two respective edges of the web 16and having a stiffening return 14 extending perpendicularly inwardlyfrom the edge of each flange 12 opposite to the edge thereof joining theweb 16 (see FIG. 1). The flanges 12 are for attachment of wall materialsand/or wall boards or panels (P) to form the closed wall structure asdescribed hereinabove.

The stiffness or stability of a resulting partition is a function ofmany factors in the stud design and the partition design.

Since the early 50s′, efforts have been made so as to increaseresistance of the metal studs to compressive load for example. Thus forinstance, wider returns 14 have been used, but their width is limited bybuckling of the metal forming the stud. Strengthening has been increasedby stamping or knurling the outer surface of the flanges 12 and/or ofthe web 16. Selecting harder steels and/or increasing the thickness ofthe metal allow achieving stronger studs but make it more difficult toscrew or nail therethrough and may result in more expansive and/orheavier studs.

There is still a need in the art for metal studs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a metal stud comprising a web and flanges extendingperpendicularly from respective edges of the web and each having astiffening return, the web comprising a longitudinal rib at each edgethereof, each rib having a width of 0.250″ from a respective edge of theweb and a depth of 0.060″ from a baseline of the web.

There is further provided a method for making a metal stud from a sheetof metal, comprising forming a longitudinal rib at each edge of thesheet, and folding the sheet into a general C-shape section, with acentral web connected at each edge thereof to a flange and provided witha longitudinal rib at each edge of the central web.

There is further provided a method for reinforcing a metal studcomprising a web and flanges extending perpendicularly from respectiveedges of the web, the method comprising providing a longitudinal rib ateach edge of the web, each rib having a width of 0.250″ from arespective edge of the web and a depth of 0.060″ from a baseline of theweb.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictivedescription of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of exampleonly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 shows studs as known in the art;

FIG. 2 shows a stud 1⅝″×1¼″ according to an embodiment of an aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a stud 2½″×1¼″ according to an embodiment of an aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a stud 3⅝″×1¼″ according to an embodiment of an aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a stud 4.000×1¼″ according to an embodiment of an aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a stud 6.000″×1¼″ according to an embodiment of an aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a stud according to an embodiment ofan aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 compares heights permitted with studs of the present invention ina galvanized steel of a thickness of 0.017, and with corresponding studsof the prior art; and

FIG. 9 compares heights permitted with studs of the present invention ingalvanized steel of a thickness of 0.021, and with corresponding studsof the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Studs according to embodiments of aspects of the present invention areshown for example in FIG. 2-7.

The partition studs 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″ and 10″″ have a general C-shapesection, with a web 16 and a pair of L-shaped flanges 12 each having areturn 14 at a free end thereof. Connection between each flange 14 andthe web 16 is done with a radius of curvature R.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the outer surface of the flanges 12 may beprovided with knurling.

As best seen in FIGS. 2-6, the web 16 comprises a longitudinal rib 18 ateach extremity thereof, running generally along the length of the web 16(i.e. perpendicularly to the views of FIGS. 2-6).

As illustrated in FIG. 2-6 for studs made in a galvanized steel of athickness of 0.017 or 0.021′, each rib 18 has a width w, from thejunction between a flange 12 and the web 16, i.e. from the outer edge ofthe web along a width of the web 16, of 0.250″, and a depth d of 0.060″from the baseline of the web 16. The flanges 12 have a width W_(f) of1.250″, the returns 14 have a width W_(r) of 0.250″ and the radius ofcurvature R at the junction between the web 16 and each flange 12 is0.040″. The connecting angle between the rib 18 and the baseline of theweb 16 is of 45 degrees, as shown in FIG. 2 for example.

A steel with a yield strength of at least 33 ksi is selected Forexample, a galvanised steel having a yield strength of 50 ksi was usedwith a thickness of 0.021″, and a galvanised steel having a yieldstrength of 33 ksi with a thickness of 0.0017′ was used.

In FIG. 2, the stud 10 has a width W₁, generally determined by the widthof the web 16, of 1.625′″. In FIG. 3, the stud 10′ has a width W₂ of2.500′″. In FIG. 4, the stud 10″ has a width W₃ of 3.625′″. In FIG. 5,the stud 10′″ has a width W₄ of 4.000′″. In FIG. 6, the stud 10″″ has awidth W₅ of 6.000′″.

A coating on the steel may be used for anticorrosion purposes as knownin the art.

A specific combination of rib geometry and position of the ribs 18 isfound to enhance the compressive strength of the resulting stud andhence the limiting partition heights permitted using them, as follows:

Yield strength of 33 ksi or 50 ksi with a thickness of 0.017″ or 0.021″respectively.

Stud width W (inside dimensions): 1⅝″, 2½″, 3⅝″, 4″ and 6″.

Flange size W_(f): 1″¼.

Return size: W_(r): ¼″.

Tests were performed on composite wall assemblies comprising 0.017″ and0.021″ thick cold-formed steel studs of the present invention and ⅝″thick type X gypsum wallboards (P), following the requirements of ICCAC86-12, Acceptance Criteria for Cold Formed Steel FramingMembers-Interior Nonload-bearing Wall Assemblies, so as to establishlimiting height tables for this type of composite wall assembly.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show limiting heights thus allowed with studs of thepresent invention, as compared with studs of the prior art with a samethickness and yield strength of the steel plate used, submitted to asame pressure (5 psf-pound-force per square foot), for differentspacings between consecutive studs (i.e. 12′, c.c/16″ c.c and 24″c.c),as measured according to standard CSA S136:2001 for Cold Formed SteelStructural Members. Unexpected results were obtained with the studs ofthe present invention. The performances of the studs of the presentinvention are much greater than could have been predicted by someone ofskill in the art based on known studs, in a much unpredictable art, asfar as metal behavior in combination to shape and properties isconcerned.

There is thus provided an ingenious metal stud formed from a metal sheetfolded into a C-shape cross section, of standard overall dimensions,combining a central web and flanges extending perpendicularly from thetwo respective edges of the web and each having a stiffening return, thecentral web comprising a longitudinal rib at each edge thereof, each ribhaving a width of 0.250″ from the edge of the web and a depth of 0.060″from the baseline of the web.

There is provided a method for reinforcing a metal stud, comprisingproviding the central web thereof with a rib running longitudinallyalong each edge thereof, each rib having a width of 0.250″ from the edgeof the web and a depth of 0.060″ from the baseline of the web.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments setforth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretationconsistent with the description as a whole.

What is claimed is:
 1. A metal stud, comprising a web and flanges extending perpendicularly from respective edges of the web and each having a stiffening return, the web comprising a longitudinal rib at each edge thereof, each rib having a width of 0.250″ from a respective edge of the web and a depth of 0.060″ from a baseline of the web.
 2. The metal stud of claim 1, formed from a metal sheet.
 3. The metal stud of claim 1, formed from a sheet of a metal having a yield strengths of 33 ksi or 50 ksi with a thickness of 0.017″ or 0.021″ respectively.
 4. The metal stud of claim 1, formed from a sheet of a material having a yield strength of 33 ksi or 50 ksi with a thickness of 0.017″ or 0.021″ respectively, wherein said flanges have a width of 1″¼ and said returns have a width of ¼″.
 5. The metal stud of claim 1, formed from a sheet of a material having a yield strength of 33 ksi or 50 ksi with a thickness of 0.017″ or 0.021″ respectively, wherein said material is a steel.
 6. The metal stud of claim 1, formed from a sheet of a material having a yield strength of 33 ksi or 50 ksi with a thickness of 0.017″ or 0.021″ respectively, wherein said material is a steel comprising an anticorrosion coating.
 7. The metal stud of claim 1, said web having a width of 1.625′″, 2.500′″, 3.625′″, 4.000′″ or 6.000′″.
 8. The metal stud of claim 1, formed from a sheet of a material having a yield strength of 33 ksi or 50 ksi with a thickness of 0.017″ or 0.021″ respectively, wherein said flanges have a width of 1″¼, said returns have a width of ¼″ and a radius of curvature at a junction between the web and each flange is 0.040″.
 9. The metal stud of claim 1, wherein a connecting angle between each rib and the baseline of the web is about 45 degrees.
 10. The metal stud of claim 1, wherein the flanges are provided with knurling.
 11. A method for making a metal stud from a sheet of metal, comprising forming a longitudinal rib at each edge of the sheet, and folding the sheet into a general-shape section, with a central web connected at each edge thereof to a flange, and provided with a longitudinal rib at each edge of the central web.
 12. A method for reinforcing a metal stud comprising a web and flanges extending perpendicularly from respective edges of the web, said method comprising providing a longitudinal rib at each edge of the web, each rib having a width of 0.250″ from a respective edge of the web and a depth of 0.060″ from a baseline of the web. 